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diversity and the web

on September 18, 2008 · No Comments

I don’t think that I’m the only African-American edublogger but I have noticed that racial diversity is lacking in the ’sphere. Am I wrong? If not, what are the reasons? What are the implications (for the web community, students, and other stakeholders)? Courtesy of Diversity 2.5.1 (BETA)? (Comic) Diversity isn’t only lacking within educational blogging, [...]

I don’t think that I’m the only African-American edublogger but I have noticed that racial diversity is lacking in the ’sphere. Am I wrong? If not, what are the reasons? What are the implications (for the web community, students, and other stakeholders)? Courtesy of Diversity 2.5.1 (BETA)? (Comic)

Diversity isn’t only lacking within educational blogging, but within the web as a whole. As technology continues to go mainstream, we are faced with new complexities to stagnant issues of racism, classism, ageism and so forth. These isms are taking new shape and being forced to face new challenges with the increased presence of the web.

Today it is expected that you will find a job, apply for college, do research, and connect with your friends all through virtual means, but what if you don’t have a computer or even have access to one? What if you don’t have broadband (p.s. that’s a bigger issue in and of itself)? What if you’re a school with limited resources and outdated technology?

What are the implications (for the web community, students, and other stakeholders)?

A voice isn’t being heard.

Today, more then ever, the web is about conversations and community, but what if the community is missing a potentially powerful member? There are voices waiting to be heard and stories needing to be told. This is occurring in our communities, schools, cities and towns as well as across the world in Africa and a multitude of other countries without the means to participate in the conversation.

Cambridge Community Television (CCTV) is just one example of an organization offering access to their community. They are providing the resources to learn, understand and engage through technical means of communication that would otherwise be out of reach.

For those of us who live our lives wrapped up in technology it’s easy to forget that there is an increasing digital divide that is leaving many in its wake. As a blogger, a social media enthusiastic and a humanitarian it is my responsibly to ensure that everyone has a voice. As the web continues to integrate into our lives I challenge you to be an advocate for the collective conversation not only including those who have the means, but everyone who has a voice.

calling all cambridge citizen journalists

on September 14, 2008 · No Comments

Cambridge Community Television (CCTV) is now accepting applications for its NeighborMedia program. NeighborMedia shares stories, reports issues and offers insight all through the lens of both local residents and journalists embedded in the various zip codes across the City of Cambridge. To learn more please contact Colin Rhinesmith, Community Media Coordinator

To learn more please contact Colin Rhinesmith, Community Media Coordinator

[bridging the] digital divide @cctv

on February 18, 2008 · No Comments

What a transformative day – perhaps it’s the weather which is much more spring-like as opposed to the bone chilling cold of late or the dramatic transformation my own life has taken. The greatest change being my employment. I’m now working with the web communications team at Tufts University. It’s an exciting new phase in [...]

Though it does mean that my blogging will be a bit more spontaneous pending on the day. This blog is also going to transform. While it’ll continue to contain my reflections on the realm of social media and technology in society I’ve decided to include my own personal reflections on life – as I feel there will be much to digest.

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to volunteer at CCTV as they kick-ed off a digital divide project that they are implementing in associate with the City of Cambridge.

As part of the program, participants will receive a free refurbished computer (either PC or Mac) and a wireless Internet access node. During the training, participants will learn how to connect to the City’s wireless network using their wireless node, or transmitter. Through participants’ involvement in the program they will also be helping to strengthen the wireless network for their neighbors closest to them. To learn more about the City’s wireless network involved in this program, visit Cambridge Public Internet Initiative.

[Courtesy of Colin Rhinesmith. For more on the logistics and progress of this project visit Colin's blog as he's overseeing this initiative and has much to share.]

The day was full of excitement, laughter and (of course) food as participants visited us throughout the day to complete the orientation portion of the project. In total 30 participants attended. It was such a humbling reminder of the things I take for granted as well as the impact of the heighten progress of technology on those who simply want to participate, but do not have the physical means to do so.

What draws me to this particular program, in addition simply to its mission, is the amount of support integrated into the program. Prior to individuals receiving their respective computers they are required to attend a series of computer based trainings – and from there are provided with support as they get up and running. It truly is a great effort by some very passionate folks – with no doubt a life changing outcome for those involved.

boston.com features hub2 on youtube

on February 3, 2008 · No Comments

Some very exciting stuff for Emerson, Hub2 and my husband, Colin. Well, this blog’s back from break to share the exciting news that our course video from last semester, “Re-Imagining Boston City Hall Plaza Using Second Life,” just made it onto the front page at Boston.com under the “Your Videos” section. The exposure has generated [...]

Some very exciting stuff for Emerson, Hub2 and my husband, Colin.

Well, this blog’s back from break to share the exciting news that our course video from last semester, “Re-Imagining Boston City Hall Plaza Using Second Life,” just made it onto the front page at Boston.com under the “Your Videos” section. The exposure has generated over 2,500 views of the video on YouTube so far. And there’s some good discussion about how people feel about the real life Boston City Hall Plaza and using virtual worlds, like Second Life, to re-imagine our public spaces.

Watch the video and join the discussion.

internet problems plague free computer program

on January 30, 2008 · No Comments

Cambridge – A city program focused on giving wireless Internet access to low-income residents is leaving the tenants of one public housing complex feeling disconnected (read more).

Cambridge – A city program focused on giving wireless Internet access to low-income residents is leaving the tenants of one public housing complex feeling disconnected (read more).

the nonexistent web 2.0 bubble

on October 31, 2007 · No Comments

It’s all about the bubble these days – the “web 2.0 bubble” that is. Everywhere I look there’s a new article or blog post talking about the bubble and more specifically assessing when it’ll pop. The bubble has been so poorly constructed. Companies have (and continue to) exploit web 2.0 to the financial max – [...]

The bubble has been so poorly constructed. Companies have (and continue to) exploit web 2.0 to the financial max – from consultants to marketers – they’re all looking to gain. This corporate extreme offers a talking point riddled with buzzwords and advice on how to gain financially. Not too mention a tangible entity with boundaries and a “life cycle” that will mean it’s eventually end.

Please bear in mind that I’m a graduate student currently pursuing my MBA. I’m all too familiar with the bottom-line and the notion that everything pursued from a corporate standpoint should satisfy that sole goal.

But web 2.0 (social media) isn’t about the bottom-line. It’s about community engagement, human interaction and conversations. A concept that’s difficult for many to grasp, because it doesn’t seem inherent that human interaction can be synonymous with anything related to the internet and/or technology. The key is to understand that social media isn’t about the technology – though it’s the profitability of technology-based companies or those leveraging it that has become the primary focus – it’s about a means of facilitation. Technology is nothing more than the vehicle that provides additional outlets for the conversation to thrive.

So while companies attempt to cash in on the bubble that they have defined (for the purpose of it’s own creation) they’ve missed the brilliance of what the bubble cannot contain. And maybe social media will ultimately burst that bubble, because how can companies harness a human condition? In the end, such a burst may enable corporations, institutions and individuals to attain understanding of what it is that’s actually occurring – even enable them to develop an appreciation and a desire to truly become part of the conversation.

Because how can something that is symptomatic of being human – human interaction and the desire to communicate as well as engage – burst and therefore cease to exist?

a monday montage

on October 22, 2007 · No Comments

I tend to be a compulsive list maker. The irony is that this is very much against my nature (and apparently against my personality if you ask Myers-Briggs). But for me it’s not a matter of completion, but rather of guidance. The list serves as a guide as I work through my day – all [...]

I credit my many lists with the discovery of an eclectic variety of things (ideas, blogs, people, events and more). Today is no exception. And while each item is worthy of its own post – time and indecisiveness won’t allow for it – so, I offer you a happy medium: my list from today. May you tackle it in good health and with an open mind.

Vanessa’s To Do List:

Purchase a number of books (including The Cluetrain Manifesto, Naked Conversations and Smart Mobs)
Shift through daily Google Alerts: social media, social marketing, social networking, web 2.0 and PR 2.0
Call Nana (…while I don’t recommend you call my Nana – though she’d love the call no doubt – I do encourage you to call yours)
Read “Has the MySpace to Facebook Switch Begun?“
Learn more about the Web Community Forum (Seattle 2007) “Community Building in the Age of Facebook” and see if it’s in the budget
Take a walk on the Arlington Bike Path
Start reading Everything is Miscellaneous
Prepare for tomorrow’s social media meeting @ Stonewall Kitchen
See what new goodies are at ReForm School & Three Potatoe Four
Discover a new blog

And I found quite a few. Granted most of these aren’t actually “new”, but they are new to me and it’s worth noting a few of my favorites from today:

an assortment of tidbits

on October 18, 2007 · No Comments

First up, 7 o’clock Upgrade! Boston event tonight at MassArt @ Studio for Interrelated Media (North 181) “Upgrade! Boston is a monthly gathering of artists, curators and the public that fosters dialogue and creates opportunities for collaboration within the new media community.” This evening’s artist is a PhD candidate from the Department of Architecture at [...]

First up, 7 o’clock Upgrade! Boston event tonight at MassArt

@ Studio for Interrelated Media (North 181)

“Upgrade! Boston is a monthly gathering of artists, curators and the public that fosters dialogue and creates opportunities for collaboration within the new media community.”

This evening’s artist is a PhD candidate from the Department of Architecture at MIT.

Secondly, thought I’d share a sampling of articles I’ve encountered this morning as I sift through information for a work-related project.

Social marketing is always a big challenge because you’re asking people to change something important about the way they live. It’s personal (via carolinanewswire).

“Live Blogging: SMX Social Media – Evangelist: The Marketer’s Role in SMM“
“Social Networking boom as good as over by 2009“
“Carlota Perez on the Web 2.0 Bubble“
“What’s Next: More Marketers Paying Attention To Social Marketing“
“Is Your Social Media Marketing Strategy Passive or Active?“
“Live Blogging SMX Social Media: Micro Communities“

Pick an interest area, and there’s probably a social media site that’s serving a community around it. These sites might be “micro” in size compared to some of the large, well-known services, but they have passionate members who might also be a more targeted audience that you wish to reach (SMX Social Media).

Lastly, I’ve been striving to becoming a more intentional shopper by cutting out the mainstream, consumer-driven brands and embracing a wide-range of fair trade, socially conscience and handmade goods. Current indulgences: Madison Gre bags & Etsy (which offers a plethora of handmade items).